Passenger vehicle-for-hire vending machine with refrigeration

ABSTRACT

A refrigerated vending system for installation in a taxi cab is provided. The taxi cab has a driver area, a front passenger chair, a divider, and a rear passenger salon. The front passenger chair has a surface facing the rear passenger salon. The system of the invention adds a housing having an interior compartment configured to include at least a plurality of items therein and an exterior structurally adapted to seat against the surface of the front passenger chair that faces the rear passenger salon and proximal to the divider. A refrigerator is operative to cool the interior compartment of the housing. A vending control system is operative to respond to an actuation by dispensing one of the plurality of items from the interior compartment for access within the rear passenger salon. The housing so provided can be accommodated while optimally preserving the driver area and the rear passenger salon.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos.61/161,288, filed Mar. 18, 2010, and 61/230,417, filed Jul. 31, 2009,the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in theentireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to vending machines installed in passengervehicles-for-hire (e.g., taxi cabs), and in particular to refrigeratedvending machines that are designed for minimal impact on the vehicle'spassenger/load capacity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 3,172,713 of Rupert discloses a vending machineincorporated into the back of passenger seat. The vending machine couldvend small items. This patent did not disclose, nor did it envision,that it would be desirable to dispense, much less vend, refrigerateditems.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,311 of Lagassey et al. discloses equipment whichdispenses refreshing drinks and dry fruit from a golf-kart. Thedisclosed vending machine, includes three parts: top part for holdingsnacks; middle part for holding beverages; and a bottom part which is arefrigeration unit. The three parts are contained within a housing thatfits within the basket of a golf cart. Because of the large size of itshousing, Lagassey et al. discloses that the vending machine can bemounted on the roof of the golf cart, or towed behind in a trailer unit.Such a configuration could be useful for a golf cart where passengersstay with the vehicle for a long time, while alighting from the vehicleto play the game. However, this configuration is not suitable for theconfines of a taxi cab, where the vending products are not accessible tothe passengers during the time of their ride within the taxi.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,345 of Minh et al. discloses a vending machine andcooling dispenser especially suited to environments with limited space.A serpentine path in the dispenser is formed from two-pieces of rotarymolded plastic having complimentary, serpentine surfaces which form aserpentine path when positioned against one another. Vending withoutselection buttons is achieved by way of cradles and an interlock system.Minh discloses a vending machine directed for use in couch buses.However, a vending machine suitable for placement in a coach bus withcapacity for up to fifty or more passengers cannot necessarily besuitable for use in a taxi cab. The transportation vending machine ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,234,345 has several disadvantages which prohibit it frombeing a commercially viable installation in a taxi cab. For example,taxi cabs in major cities and their surrounds often have a securitypartition between the front and rear seats. This partition results in areduction in available space for placement of the disclosed vendingmachine. Any installation of Minh's vending machine in a taxi cab wouldbe require significant alterations of the taxi cab's interior resultingin decreased passenger comfort, impediment of the passengers' ingressand egress, and a reduction in passenger load capacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a taxi cab according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of automatic equipmentaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional front view of automaticequipment, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a illustrates a schematic (left) sectional view A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 b illustrates a schematic sectional view B-B of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 c illustrates a schematic sectional view C-C of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 d illustrates a schematic sectional view D-D of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective rear view of the embodiment shown onFIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 a-4 c illustrate various embodiments for the mechanisms of thelid and hinges of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a mechanism for dispensing a can inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a mechanism for dispensingmiscellaneous items in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 7 a-7 b are sectionals views according to the embodiment of FIG.2;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a vending panel, according to theembodiment shown on FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates an interconnection of the taxi cab air conditioningsystem with an embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional front view according to the embodimentof FIG. 1 with thermal-electrical refrigeration (TES);

FIGS. 10 a-b illustrates views of the TES according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional front view of a summer version of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 a illustrates a schematic sectional view A-A of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 b illustrates a schematic sectional view B-B of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 c illustrates a schematic sectional view C-C of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 d illustrates a schematic sectional view D-D of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having a lidlying between a refrigerating chamber and a first (from top) horizontallevel of filled cans (plan view);

FIG. 13 The scheme of putting toward the cans or bottles from the toprow into the tunnel and moving to dispensing window (Version 4);

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective rear view of a taxi cab trunk inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 a illustrates a perspective view of a main unit in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

FIG. 1:

1. Ford Crown Victoria taxi cab

2. Front passenger seat

3. Back passenger seat

4. Partition—security divider between driver's and passenger's salons

5. The optimum location of automatic equipment for improving ofpassenger service.

6. Vending (operating) panel

FIG. 2:

7. The main body or housing of equipment—refrigerating chamber

7 a. The lid of a refrigerating chamber

8. Right additional sector to the main body

9. Left additional sector to the main body

10. Vending window for cans with soft drinks

11. Tray for receiving the miscellaneous items.

12. The slot for bills

13. The slot for change

14. Card reader slot for equipment

15. Handle for pull out section 8 (additional right sector to the mainunit)

16. Hinges (or brackets) for strengtheners the equipment to thepartition.

FIG. 3:

17. Evaporator.

18. The openings between refrigerating chamber and evaporator sector.

18 g. The horizontal grooves into the back wall of chamber.

19. Fan or mini air compressor.

20. Bottom springs.

21. Can's (view from bottom side).

22. Standard can's fixation devices in the 1, 2 and 3 rows (from left)

23. Specific can's fixation device in the extreme right row under emptycell.

24. Empty cell in extreme right row.

25. “Tunnel”—a way for cans moving to the dispense window from left toright.

26. Wire spiral for dispense miscellaneous items to the passengers.

27. Money departments.

28. Metallic laying between lid of refrigerating chamber and first (fromtop) horizontal layer of the filled cans.

FIG. 3 a:

29. Specific inclination form of evaporator depend on the shape of GPS'scase located in the driver salor of the car. (attached to the front ofpartition)

30. Inclination of front surface of left additional sector for fittingthe equipment to the configuration of the GPS case located in a frontside of the partition.

31. Cross section of the GPS case attached to the front of thepartition.

FIG. 3 b:

7 a. The lid of refrigerating chamber.

7 b. Back wall of the refrigerating chamber.

7 c. Front wall of the refrigerating chamber.

7 cg. Vertical grooves in front wall.

7 bg. Vertical grooves in back wall

21. Cans (view from side)

22. Standard fixation mechanism from side of can's bottom.

FIG. 3 c:

23. Specific fixation device with unusually shape for inclination ofcan's in the extreme right row.

32. The cans moving from any row to the extreme right row and dispensewindow.

33. The cans are in the waiting position in extreme right row.

34. Lid of dispense window.

35. The angle of inclination.

FIG. 3 d:

8 a. Upper portion of sector 8 with miscellaneous items

8 b. Lower portion of sector 8 with money department.

36. Duct for chosen small items moving to the dispenser.

37. Shelves for storing the small items.

38. The motor for rotating the all wire spirals.

FIG. 4:

39. Mini—compressor.

40. Condenser between the main body and floor of the cab (invisible).

FIG. 4 a:

7. Refrigerating chamber.

7 a. Lid of refrigerating chamber.

7 ar. Rotating hinges.

1 and 2 positions for chamber: 1—lid is closed; 2—lid is opened.

10. Vending window.

FIG. 4 b:

7 ar. Rotating hinges.

7 ap. Plate hinges

7 am. Direction of moving this part of lid

Positions of lid: 1—closed, 2—partly opened, 3—partly opened and moved;

10. Vending window

FIG. 4 c:

7 ac—clips attached to the sides of chamber for opening the lid in awhole.

FIG. 5:

28. The metallic laying as unit body

28 a. The openings according to each vertical row with cans

28 b. The laying above the bulkheads between vertical rows of cans

28 c. The springs (with shape of plate)

28 d. The opening w/out springs.

FIG. 6:

41. The can entering from first level of refrigerating chamber to thetunnel

42. The can of second level pushing and supporting the can of firstlevel

43. The stages 1, 2, 3, 4 of moving the can on the board between firstlevel and tunnel

44. The slightly curves to the end of the rows of cans, making easierthe entering of cans into the tunnel (excluding the extreme right row).

45. The direction of moving the can into the tunnel

45 a. The direction of rolling and sliding the cans inside the tunnel

FIG. 7:

FIG. 7 a:

38. The motor rotating all friction disks with attached solenoids by thecenter

46 r. The right clockwise rotating friction disks.

46 l. The left counterclockwise rotating friction disks.

FIG. 7 b:

26 r. The right clockwise rotating wire spirals.

26 l. The left counterclockwise rotating wire spirals.

47. The hexahedra tip of the solenoids

FIG. 8:

10. Dispense window for cans or bottles (with pointing out to the realwindow for version 5)

48. The buttons for choice of soft drinks.

49. The buttons for choice of small items.

11. Dispense window for small items.

12. The slot for bills.

13. The slot for change

14. Card reader slot for vending machine

50. The screen of GPS (Global Position System)

51. Card reader slot for fare.

FIG. 9:

52. Taxi condenser.

53. T-connection on the way of tube connecting taxi condenser with taxievaporator.

54. Tube with low pressure liquid flow of refrigerant from T-connection53 connecting taxi condenser with equipment evaporator 17.

55. Tube with low pressure gas flow of refrigerant after equipmentevaporator 17 is connecting with exit of taxi evaporator 56

56. Taxi evaporator.

57. T-connector connecting two lines with gas flow: after equipment'sevaporator and after taxi evaporator.

58 Tube with jointed gas flow.

59. Taxi suction accumulator.

60. Taxi compressor

FIG. 10:

FIG. 10 a:

5. Main unit of vending machine

61. Credit card reader.

62. Vending window.

63. Exterior door of equipment

63 a. Exterior door lock.

63 b. Exterior door hinge

FIG. 10 b:

64. Thermal—Electrical cooler.

65. Space for package of thermo-elements.

66. Solenoid holder.

67. Plate springs (left and right).

68. Cross-link mechanism or other words it is a “rhomb pusher” assembledof flat rods hinged to each other connected, forming a number foldablerhombs situated essentially in one plan.

FIG. 11:

17. Evaporator.

17 a. One sided lid of evaporator.

18. The opening between refrigerating chamber and evaporator section.

18 g. Horizontal grooves into the back wall of chamber.

19. Mini air compressor

20. Bottom springs.

22. Standard can's fixation device.

23. Specific can's fixation mechanism in the extreme row under emptycell.

69. Plastic laying as unit body.

70. Cans or bottles with new shape as cube (view from bottom side)

70 e. Empty cell w/out cubes in the extreme right row.

71. The flow of air with increased pressure—or other word“transportation mechanism for cubes to the dispense window.”

FIG. 11 a:

46 t. The top visible part of plastic inset of tunnel dividing it on 2parts: front and back.

25 a. Front layer of 2 layers with cubes in the chamber.

25 b. Back layer of 2 layers with cubes in the chamber.

17 a. One sided lid of evaporator.

19 Mini air compressor

FIG. 11 b:

17. Evaporator

19. Mini air compressor

FIG. 11 c:

22. Standard cans fixation mechanisms from side of can's bottom in bothopposite parts of the refrigerator; the top sides of cubes are touchingeach to other through central inset 46 in chamber

FIG. 11 d:

23. Specific can fixation device in the extreme right row under emptysell.

34. Lid of vending window.

35. The angle of inclination of cube.

69. Plastic horizontal layer under lid of refrigerating chamber.

70. Cubes in the waiting stages.

70 a, 70 b, 70 c—the three consequent positions of cubes moving from anyrow to the dispense window

46. Plastic vertical inset in the refrigerator, dividing 2 stores ofcans between each to other (preferred in summer Version 4);

FIG. 12:

69. Plastic laying

69 a The narrow flexible sealants in the body of laying around 3 edgesof each opening, excluding extreme right 2 openings

69 b. The cuttings of each flexible sealant by the angles of 45′ degreein the each corner of openings.

69 g. Vertical grooves in the walls of chamber, that begin from secondlayer of filled cans and come dawn till bottom of chamber.

72 a. The openings equipped with sealants in the plastic laying 69coordinate to the each row of the cans or bottles with soft drinks.

72 b. The openings don't equipped with sealant.

73. The bulkheads between vertical rows of cans.

FIG. 13:

25. “Tunnel” of the refrigerating chamber.

70. The cubes in the position of entering in the tunnel.

71. The direction of the flow air with increased pressure by the tunneltoward dispense window.

74. The stages 1, 2, 3 of moving the cubes on the board between firstlevel and tunnel.

75. The direction of sliding the cubes inside the tunnel

FIG. 14:

76. Back view of the trunk with open lid.

77. The lid of the trunk in open position.

78. The distant section of the trunk.

78 s. The shelf dividing the distant section of trunk on 2 parts: upperpart and lower part

78 a. The upper part of the distant section

78 b. The lower part of distant section.

FIG. 14 a:

79. The main body of the invented equipment.

79 a. The pit with some known lifting mechanism (not shown)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a refrigeratedvending system for installation in a taxi cab is provided. The taxi cabhas a driver area, a front passenger chair, a divider, and a rearpassenger salon. The front passenger chair has a surface facing the rearpassenger salon. The system of the invention adds a housing having aninterior compartment configured to include at least a plurality of itemstherein and an exterior structurally adapted to seat against the surfaceof the front passenger chair that faces the rear passenger salon andproximal to the divider. A refrigerator is operative to cool theinterior compartment of the housing. A vending control system isoperative to respond to an actuation by dispensing one of the pluralityof items from the interior compartment for access within the rearpassenger salon. The housing so provided can be accommodated whileoptimally preserving the driver area and the rear passenger salon.

Further aspects, features, and advantages of the invention can beappreciated from the accompanying description of certain embodimentsthereof, taken together with the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improvement of serviceof taxi cab passengers by selling them cool soft drinks, snacks and somenon-food miscellaneous items, thus, avoiding stops to buy these articlesand interruptions of the ride. These embodiments address the problems ofthe above-discussed prior art to create a refrigerator and vendingmachine, that could be accommodated in the very limited space of taxicab without needing to make any serious reconstruction of the vehicle.One such embodiment is extra flat and adaptable configuration ofequipment.

Embodiments of the invention provide the basic functions ofrefrigeration and vending machine, i.e. storing, cooling, and sellingcooled and other items contained within an interior of a refrigeratedhousing to a client. Embodiments of the present invention are capable ofcontaining an optimum quantity of products of sufficient diversity ofsoft soda and small items so that there will be enough for a whole taxishift (or even better for two shifts). The driver need not be distractedfor add any articles and spend time stocking the vending machine.Accordingly, this capacity and diversity is very convenient for a taxicab that has 1 or 2 shifts a day.

Embodiments of the present invention include configurations and designsthat are very convenient for an operator to refill refrigerator withsoda and restock the vending machine with miscellaneous items.Additionally, access to retrieve money from a payment compartment inbetween drivers' shifts requires minimum time.

Embodiments are implemented by simple design, mechanisms and materialsfor manufacture and maintenance with less expenditure time and money.Further, the design is adaptable so that an easy redesign for variousstyles of taxi cabs with different sizes and configuration of salon(domestic and foreign). This adaptable redesign is achieved by acomposite unit which unites many components capable of changing shapes,sizes, configuration, location, etc., whether mounted inside or outsideof an encapsulated taxi body so that the customer interface is suitableto the interiors of the various styles of taxis.

In an embodiment, the vending machine is an extra flat automaticcomposite equipment for the taxi and the providing its normal functionsfor more comfortable service of passengers without any seriousreconstruction or changing in the cab.

The vending machine of the present invention provides passengers withsome necessary goods by creating, adapting to the design of taxi,regulation and maintenance automatic equipment, allowing more effectiveusing it by passengers of taxi for example the quenching of thirst byrefreshing drinks, energizing hands and face by the wet napkins,candies, etc. Mentioned above prior art equipments by the similarfunctions coordinate to the portable refrigerators or mini vendingmachines but by the sizes they not accommodate for taxi comfortconditions.

The most favorable place for automatic equipment is the space betweenthe back of passenger's front seat and divider between passenger salonand driver salon. This space is very narrow and equal a few inches.Therefore this taxi equipment has to be extra flat.

The automatic equipments have extra flat shape with thickness in a fewinches thanks one-row disposition of the cans with refreshed beverages.The directions of the 8-ounces cans are perpendicular to the partitionbetween salons. That extra flat refrigerator is created special fortaxi.

The narrow space for invented adaptable equipment and flat refrigeratorlike one of the main part of the equipment request more minimize of itsother parts. Following this direction the evaporator and fan are placedinto the left side additional component of main unit. From other (right)side the main unit was added also with component, comprises more thanten of miscellaneous small no cooling items accommodated on shelves andpayment compartment in the lowest part. In a whole the mainrefrigerating chamber and both sides sections together represent onecomposes unit.

Automatic equipment has also the carry out adapts in form of buttons forchoice of articles and payment slots for any items. Instead button thereis may be touch-screen, etc. The card reader slot already presented onthe back of partition for fare may be also used instead slot for money.

These carry out devices are attached as panel to the back side of thesecurity divider of the salons by faced to the passenger. Theseimportant transferring cutting dawn the thickness of equipment some moreand improve the using of the panel for clients, i.e. to receive thenecessary articles by the most comfortable way in the most convenienceplace.

Equipment comprise up to 4 or even 5 rows of cans and just one vendingwindow. The equipment doesn't have any pushing mechanisms (rhombic kind,solenoid kind, etc.) because of the cans are arranged in this caseperpendicularly to the front and back walls of the equipment and itsmechanism of transportation based on other principal. The moving on thecans to the vending window is carrying out inside the tunnel above toprow of the cans, using principle of rolling and sliding. This tunnel isfree of the cans and is the part of refrigerating chamber, where allsurfaces have minimum friction and high sliding index. Therefore thespring system (in the shape of plates) is used in this equipment formoving cans to the vending window. The cans using the initial speed fromspring (in a shape of plate) and pressure from density enough coolingair after evaporator are moving by rolling and sliding along tunnel tothe first extreme right row and then after rich it fall dawn into theempty cell (i.e. the extreme right row of the cans has one more emptycell under tunnel).

The can located lower than mentioned empty cell has slightly inclinationto the side of vending window. Felled dawn can above it sliding by thiscylindrical inclination surface like by rail (plus using the vibrationof a taxi) to the opened at this time lid of vending window and throughthat straight to the client.

The inclination of can's surface is arriving by specific device. The lidof the vending window lays out in a front of top cell in right row, onecell below of tunnel and not in a level of the tunnel. Therefore thecans literally “sliding out' from device straight to the hands ofclient.

This original and the same time simple construction of cans' arrangementand delivery mechanism increases the possibility of choice the beveragekinds and raises the quantity of cans in the same minimum space in taxicab until 4-5 rows and kinds. The same time the necessity of usingelectric power supply for any pushing mechanisms are disappearing; theprice of manufacturing, repairing, installing, changing, monitoring,maintaining, etc. of these pushing mechanisms and equipment in a wholeconsiderably decreasing. The reliability of encapsulated equipment issharply increasing. The weight of unit is declining so as the changingand/or adding some kind of the cans or others miscellaneous items becamefaster and easier.

Suggested equipment contains also right side component of main unit withmore than 10 kinds of small doesn't cooling items for vend arranged onthe shelves. It means the vertical cartridges working by the principalrotating spiral. This cartridge has one open tray, where the choosearticle comes dawn. However in different from others vending machinesthis additional right section has no one motor for each shelf but justone motor, which serves all of shelves by specific method. This methodallows essentially increasing the quantity and kinds of miscellaneousitems that is very important for the taxi cab working by two shifts aday. This section depends on the types and quantity of items is widerthan section with evaporator and fan, because of should be arranged tothe right side of mane unit.

The reception mechanism for money placed too in the same section asmiscellaneous items.

The arrangement all soft soda cans and small items in one extra flat and“adaptable” unit allows very quick installing them in the car and alsochange or added the articles into the equipment.

The equipment w/out seriously design reconstruction may be installed onthe any kind of taxi (standard or hybrid), starting from Crown Victoria,Ford Escape, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, ToyotaHighlander, Toyota Prius, etc. Automatic equipment will be have thesimilar configuration in the according to condition and space of thesalons, notwithstanding on the conception of refrigerator: standardcompressor and Freon; thermo-electric system; semi-conductor system orsolar batteries, etc.

A vending machine embodying the present invention improves service ofpassengers in a time of their trip by installation automatic equipmentin taxi cab for vending the different kinds of beverages andmiscellaneous items.

Preferred embodiment of the invention based on the taxi cab “Ford”“Crown Victoria” 1 how it is shown on FIG. 1. A taxi cab has a frontpart with driver and passenger front seats 2 and rear seat for client 3.These 2 parts of the salon divided by security partition. Securitypartition 4 also consists from 2 parts: a lower security opaque portion4 a and upper 4 b transparent portion shown on FIG. 8. The wholecomposed unit 5 is installed in a narrow space (a few inches) betweenthe back of front passenger seat 2 and partition 4.

As it is shown on FIG. 1-2 the automatic equipment composite unit 5which may provide the passengers with a choice up to 4 and even 5 kindsof drinks and with no less than 10 types of miscellaneous items. Unit 5is encapsulated in a box containing a few parts and bolted by brackets16 or hanged via suitable hooks.

As shown on FIGS. 2 and 3, in preferred embodiments with 4-rows version(applied to 8-ounces cans) the equipment comprises: a refrigeratingchamber 7 consisting from four vertical rows with cans and onehorizontal empty level as tunnel 25. The refrigerating chamber 7 islocated in a central part of casing. Vertical rows of the chamber 7 eachhas another kind of drink and a number of cans (20) packed one above theother. The cans 21 are disposed perpendicularly to the front and backwalls of the equipment. The chamber 7 has a top lid (6 a) shown on FIGS.2, 3 b, 3 c, 4 and 11 c, which allow the operator to load this chamberwith cans 21.

The lowest cans of each row in the chamber 7 place upon the number ofadjusted spring element 20, installed at the bottom of these row. Thespring elements 20 are capable of controllable expanding upwardgradually, for example, in an inverse proportion to the number of cans21 located in the rows at a certain moment of the time, thereby liftingthe cans of the row after the dispensing of the uppermost can. Otherknown kinds of lifting mechanisms for that stage of cans transportationavailable too. For example:—“rhomb pusher” assembly of flat rods hingedto each other connected, forming a number of foldable rhombs situatedessentially in one plane;—pusher is liner engine;—spring pushing withratchet and pawl, etc.

In preferred embodiments, the main composed unit 5 comprises anadditional (e.g. right), as shown on FIGS. 2 and 3, sector 8 and anadditional (e.g. left) component 8, both coupled with the chamber 7. Thesector 8 connects with the chamber 7 by a few hinges. Section 7 doesn'thave the common wall and direct connection with chamber 7 do to itsmovement necessity.

Sector 8 communicates with chamber 7 by upper ventilation openings 18(shown on FIG. 3) because of sector 9 is a part of extra flatrefrigerator. The similar ventilation openings present on the bulkheadsbetween all rows of the can. Sector 8 isn't valuated as part ofrefrigerating system because of contains cooling items.

Sector 8 in preferred embodiment of equipment as it shown on FIGS. 2 and3 d also comprises 2 portions: upper portion for vending miscellaneousitems (not cooling) and lower portion as payment compartment. Upperportion has a predetermined number of shelves (35) with aforesaid itemsplaced on the shelves. The sector 8 has a handle 14 for separating wholesection 7 from main body or housing 6 by the pull out aforesaid hingesin seconds. This procedure makes easier the loading or changingmiscellaneous items into the further vending to customer. A number ofwire spiral revolving pushers 25 may preferably be used to controllablymove the items from the shelves 35 to a vertical duct (34) and then to adispense tray 10 (shown on FIGS. 2 and 3 d) for serving the customer.All spiral pushers 25 are driven by a motor 36 actuated/de-actuated by acontroller (not shown).

In preferred embodiment how it shown on FIGS. 2, 3 and 3 d, the lowerportion 26 of right additional section 7 represent itself a moneydepartment including: the slot for bills 11, the slot for change 12 andchange dispenser 13. The extraction of money is easy realizing whensection 7 is separating from refrigerating chamber in a time for driversshift is changing.

As it shown on FIGS. 3 and 3 a in preferred embodiment the leftadditional sector 9 comprises: evaporator 17, ventilation openings 18between this sector 9 and refrigerating chamber 7. Under evaporator 17axial fan or mini air compressor 19 are located. Devices 19 that developpressure less than 5.0 psi are classified as fans or blowers. Above thislevel of pressure the devices are referred to as compressor.

Fan or compressor create uneven distribution of air flow:

-   -   by Version 1 of equipment modification (FIGS. 3, 3 a, 5) the        cooling air is directing by the fan pass by both sides of        evaporator through the openings 18 partly to the tunnel 25 and        from the tunnel's openings 28 in the metallic layers to the all        4 rows with cans (vertically from top to bottom); other part of        the cooling air is directing by the upper 2-3 opening 18 direct        into the top 2-3 levels of can's rows by the horizontal grooves        in the walls of refrigerator to the all 4 rows; then the both        air flows (tunnel's and level's) are uniting and move downward        to the bottom of chamber using vertical grooves making faster        the cooling whole store into the refrigerator; by the time when        cans gradually are vending the lower cans upwards to the tunnel        and cooling more; the third function of the air flow after fan        is to help to move the cans into the tunnel by rolling and        sliding to the dispense window;    -   by “summer” Version 4 of equipment modification (FIGS. 11, 11 a,        11 b) before the order of passenger the cooling air is directing        by the compressor pass by right side of evaporator through the        upper openings 18 into the tunnel 25; further the scheme of        circulation “tunnel's” air is similar as in above mentioned        version 1; other part of the cooling air after evaporator is        directing by the upper 2-3 opening 18 direct into the top 2-3        levels of cube's rows also by the horizontal grooves in the        walls of chamber go to meet with flow from tunnel; after uniting        these two air flows by the vertical grooves into the chamber's        walls (front and back) come dawn and cool the whole store of        refrigerator much faster; after client chose some drink the all        volume of air force switch on to left side of one-sided lid of        evaporator 17 a is directing into the open section of tunnel        (front or back) with higher than atmosphere pressure for pushing        the cubes to the vending window like in pneumatic male; the        switching the whole air force of the compressor to the tunnel        carrying out by the tip of inset like directing regulator(front        or back part of tunnel) of the wending control system.

The others parts of basic refrigerating elements: compressor 37 andcondenser 38 are located outside of the refrigerating chamber on itsback side as it shown on FIG A. The outer walls of the refrigeratingchamber (front and back), the outer walls of section 8, the wall betweenthe sections 6 and 8, the tops and bottoms of the sections 6 and 8 arefilled up of heat insulation materials.

In preferred alternative embodiment of taxi cab composes automaticequipment there are using the possibility of taxi cab's air-conditionersystem as part of refrigerating elements of present invention (FIG. 8).The two main elements of refrigerating system: the compressor 57 andcondenser 49 switched in the AC system of taxi cab by the twoconnections (FIG. 8). By one tube (51) cooling liquid agent from taxicondenser (49) by the T-connection (50) move in the direction ofevaporator 16 in the section 8 of composed unit 5. After evaporator 16by the tube (52) gas agent moves back in a point after taxi evaporator(53) where joints by the T-connection (54) with tube (55) and further tothe taxi suction accumulator (56). Then cleaned and dried gas continuesway to the taxi compressor (57). After compressor the liquid agentmixing with taxi part of liquid agent move to condenser (49) and thenthe cycle is repeated again.

The space of preferred embodiment occupied before by the compressor andcondenser, may be filled up with several additional cans of the drinksand/or small items; the connection of equipment and taxi AC systemcarries out easy and fast; thanks the small volume of the refrigeratingchamber (about 0.7 cubic feet) the connection of preferred embodiment ofinvention with AC of taxi cab no negative rejection on the taxiair-condition and electric systems in summer and in a winter.

In preferred embodiment the automatic equipment comprises a panel 4 p,illustrated on FIG. 5, having corresponded labels for all vendingproducts in this specific taxi cab. The drink's selection buttons 39,miscellaneous items' selection buttons 40, money slots 11, 12, changedispenser 13 together with drinks vending window 9 and small itemsvending tray 10 are present on the panel 4 p. The door of the window 9will be partly seeing on this panel in a stage of opening because realdoor is covering real window in the front wall of main equipment (FIG.2) and second door for the same goal in the panel 4 p is not necessary.The both trays 10 (in the attached sector 8 of the equipment (FIG. 2)and in the panel 4 p) are located too close each to other because ofpackets, which appear in the trays can be easy picked up by clients.Other form of selection button can be adapted for same purposes, such astouch-screen, electronic or optical sensors, etc.

In preferred embodiment on the partition 4 a the card readers slot (42)(shown on FIG. 5) may be also used because of this card reader slotalready was installed into the taxi cab together with GPS (GlobalPosition System) system.

In preferred embodiment [as shown on FIGS. 2 and 3 with the front viewof completed composite unit 5 with central component 6 and additionalleft (8) and right (7) components without front wall], automaticequipment lacks any pushing mechanisms (like in other kinds of vendingmachine) because of the cans are arranged in this case perpendicularlyto the front and back walls of the equipment. This system of arrangementallows storing in the central body 6 of the composite unit up to 4-5vertical rows of cans (each of rows is different kind of drink) and manynumber of cans sufficiently for even 2 driver shifts.

In preferred embodiment of the invention, as sown on FIGS. 2, 3, 3 b, 3c, 5 and 6, the moving on the cans to the vending window 9 occur in thetunnel (24) above top row of the cans, using principle of rolling andsliding. This tunnel is free of the cans and is the part ofrefrigerating chamber, where all surfaces have minimum friction and highsliding index. Therefore the spring system 27 c (in the shape of plates)shown on FIG. 6 is used for moving cans to the vending window 9. Thespring system 27 c is the part of smooth metallic laying 27 between thelid (6 a) of refrigerating chamber and top row of cans. The metalliclaying (27) is one unit also with layer above bulkheads (27 b) betweenrows of cans. Spring system (27 c) consist from single (not shown) orcouple of springs (in the shape of plate) in each openings for enteringthe cans into the tunnel. The length of the springs is longer than ahalf of diameter of a can or the same like a half of width of openings(shown on FIG. 6). The couples of springs are arranged just in three (bythe 4 rows of can) or four (by the 5 rows of cans) left openings ofcan's exit to the tunnel where the cans will be rolling and sliding. Theextreme right row of cans in both cases doesn't have springs, becausefrom this row the cans should not roll or slide, and exit justvertically to the vending window.

The springs (couples or single) perform two functions: first of all itpushes a can to the right side of the tunnel from an opening where canis stored; second function is to be like tracks for the moving can,don't allowing them stop in an area where wide enough slot betweencylindrical surface of can and vertical wall of row take place (FIGS. 6and 7).

The free angles of springs are provided with mini size bearing (doesn'tshown) which help to force the rolling of the can and improve thereliability of spring system, because of these bearings give the can thedirection to the dispense window by rolling clockwise immediately afterthey appear in full in the tunnel. After any spring pushed the can in a“trip”, it will come down and the mini size bearing are hidden inmentioned above slot, not missing the next cans to roll and slide by thetunnel. In the preferred embodiments how it mentioned above the extremeright row into the refrigerating chamber not stored in full. As shownbellow, the cell located immediately under tunnel in this row (23) hasto be empty (FIG. 3).

In the preferred embodiment of equipment specific of moving the cans tothe vending window requests to show the scheme of how the cans exit outfrom top row. This process is shown on the FIG. 3 and 7. The cans arepushed by bottom spring 19 gradually exit to the tunnel and rising thespring 27 c higher and higher. When the can reach the stage 4 the spring27 c been entering into tunnel in full with maximum power pushes can tothe right to the side offending window.

The can are moving by rolling and sliding along tunnel to the extremeright row and then after rich it fall dawn into the empty cell. The topcan in this particular row has slightly inclination (33 on the FIG. 3 c)to the side of vending window 9 with lid 32 shown also on FIG. 3 c.Felled dawn can sliding above it by this inclination surface to theopened at this time lid of vending window (32) and through that get tothe client. The inclination of surface is arriving by specific device22. The lid of the vending window 32 lays out in a front of top cell inright row, one cell below of tunnel and not in a level of the tunnel.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the filled cans in the toprow of the refrigerating chamber 7 are keeping back from moving to thetunnel on the “stage of waiting” by the fixation mechanism 21 shown onFIGS. 3 and 3 b. The form of fixation mechanisms for left 3 or 4 rows isrepresented like semi-circle “hat”. This “hat” horizontally presses theconcaved bottom of the can by the central axis and can strong andhorizontally keep itself in the cell (FIG. 3 b).

The form of the fixation mechanism in the extreme right row isrepresented like a part of the semi-circle “hat” (FIG. 3 c, as C-Csection of equipment on FIG. 3), This specific form affixation mechanismallows keeping the can in slightly inclination position helping thefelled from tunnel can to slide forward at the vending window 9.

In the preferred embodiment of equipment the sector 8 comprises 10 ormore the miscellaneous items, that difficult offer for so flat andlimited in other sizes composes equipment. It was achieved thanks thenew method for store and moves the not cooling items to the passengers.This method includes the refusing from all motors for each shelf, usingjust one motor and new principal of using of wire spiral (not shown).The possibility to contents much more items in sector 8 challengesnecessity to make this additional component wide enough. Therefore thesector 8 has to places to right of refrigerating chamber. The automaticequipment became asymmetric: left additional component will be narrowwith evaporator and fan and right additional component will be widerwith small items and payment compartment. The replacement each to othersector 8 and 8 allow the operator much faster fill up or change thesmall items and take the money because this component not having contactwith refrigerator and will be just hang on the main body by the hinges.The operator easy takes up the component from hinges and cans soon fillup it with new items or even changes this whole component on new one fora couple minutes.

One more variant for easy pull out this sector appears when the sector 8divided on 2 vertical parts: upper with items and lower with money. Thenthe sector 8 will be pulled out faster by two stages.

In the preferred embodiments very important action have to be done whenthe driver's shift is ended and there is necessary to change refreshingcans into the refrigerating chamber. There is counting too narrow spacein the back of front passenger seat the empty and refill the rows withcans happening by the few manners shown on FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c. FIG.4 a is using the rotating hinges; FIG. 4 b is using rotating and slidingplate hinges and FIG. 4 c is using a few clips for open up whole lid ofchamber. After that the changing of articles in the chamber became easy.

In the preferred embodiment one more version (version 3) of universalequipment for Vendicab is represented by thermal-electrical system (TES)in the regions with temperate climate (not in hot season). This systemcomprises the package of many thermo-electrical elements each of thatconsist from two semi-conductors with different conductivity. Us aresult when the current pass through thermo-element the different endsof it will be absorb or distinguish a heat so the each thermo-elementworks like micro cooling or heating system. The TES is illustrated onthe FIGS. 10 a and 10 b which is a schematic front view of automaticequipment, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Schematic front view of main body of TES shown on FIG. 10 a. Itdimensions accords to the basic version 1 shown on FIG. 1. been locatedbetween front passenger seat and partition. This version howeverconfigured with credit card system only (61 is credit card reader, thatclose to the vending window (62); exterior door of equipment (63) withdoor lock (63 a) and door hinges (63 b) opens cooling space of equipmentin a whole (from top to bottom); it is very convenience for vendor forempty and fill up again the refrigerator with new refreshed cans.

However, this kind of Version 3 with front door of the equipment can notbe installed in the taxi cab with partition (New York, Chicago) betweenfront seat of passenger and partition how all other versions of Vendicabbecause of the partition disturb the equipment's door to be open.Therefore the access to the cooling chamber of the device in this casecan be providing with top lid how it described above for Version 1.

The FIG. 10 b as a schematic sectional front view of automatic equipmentwith TES comprises T-E cooler (64), package of thermo-elements (65),solenoid holder (66), plate springs (67) and cross-link mechanism (68).

While the TES requests pre-cooling the cans with soft drinks the mainadvantage of this system is less power consuming that very important fortime of the taxi shift.

In the preferred embodiment of the combined automatic equipment forimplementing the summer 4 version of modification the FIGS. 2 and 11illustrate a schematic sectional front view of automatic equipment,according to mentioned above version of embodiment (version 4). Here asin similar FIG. 3 for version 1 of equipment shown the front layer ofnew shape of bottles or cans in form of cubes 70 arrange in therefrigerating chamber. The main body of the equipment refrigeratingchamber comprises up to 80 bottles of new shapes in form of cubes in thetwo adjacent layers (front and back) dividing by the flat plasticvertical inset 46 on 2 parts: front layer 25 a and back layer 25 b. In awhole this divider shown on FIG. 11 c, 11 d and 12) and partly just topvisible part of inset shown on FIG. 11 a, 11 b.

The dimensions of composes unit of the summer version 4 of the equipmentvery similar to basic version 1 as by sizes as by the possibility to beinstall in the same place of taxi cab, excluding the thickness of therefrigerating part. Last one wider than by version 1 on just 1.5 inchesthat also feet to the space behind of the front passenger seat.Consequently for the regions with all the year round hot climate thetwo-layers of cubes of refrigerating chamber have to be store and theinset, dividing both layers, has to remain there permanently.

This preferred embodiment of version 4 comprises four vertical rows withcans or bottles of other shape in form of cubes 70 shown in theschematic sectional view on the FIGS. 2 and 11. This front layer ofrefrigerating chamber comprises about 40 cubes 70 arrange horizontallyin perpendicularly to the front wall of the refrigerating chamber.

In this preferred embodiment of version 4 how shown on FIG. 11 theevaporator 17, ventilation openings 18, bottom springs 20, tunnel ofrefrigerator 25, compressor instead fan 19 and sector 8 withmiscellaneous items and money department 27 leave the same like inequipment of version 1 (FIG. 3).

However for preferred embodiments of version 4 the FIGS. 11, 11 a and 11b illustrate that the evaporator 17 is covered from left side by the onesided lid 17 a; the reason for this element of design was installed isthat compressor 19 has more power than fan. The air flow aftercompressor is essentially increasing and this will lead to the overcooling up to freezing the drinks inside refrigerator. The one sided lidof evaporator prevents from this condition in the refrigerator anddirects the force air flow exactly into the tunnel.

For preferred embodiments of version 4 the divider 46 (partly visible onthe FIG. 11 a, 11 b and fully on FIG. 11 c) in the space limited by leftsector 9 has a tip 46 a (not shown), which turning on by the axle(coordinates to the visible line of inset 46 on the FIGS. 11 a and 11 b)periodically closing front (25 a) or back (25 b) layer of therefrigerator (depend of the passenger's choice). The air force aftercompressor by this tip 46 a is directing to the one of these opened atthis time layers, creating inside it slightly increased pressure formoving the cubes to the dispense window based on the condition of “wetair”.

In the preferred embodiment of version 4 the full image of how the cansor bottles arrange into the refrigerator is shown on FIG. 11 c. The cansor bottles as cube are disposed into the chamber in 2 layers; each ofarticles 70 in each layer 25 a and 25 b (into the 3 first rows) placesby the bottom to the according walls: front (7 c) or back (7 b), andconsequently by the top sides to the flat chamber divider of layers 46.

The disposition of cubes is most convenience: for minimize thedimensions of whole equipment; to replace the standard fixationmechanisms 22 for each layer into the thick enough walls; to implementthe new shape of the non-standard fixation—inclination mechanism 23 forsliding the articles to the dispense window, and to provide theincreasing of the amount of bottles or cans in the shape of cubes thesummer version equipment more than twice (up to 80 pieces) by thecomparing with version 1.

In preferred embodiment of present invention (Version 4) the steps ofmechanism of exit the cans or bottles from refrigerating area to theclient are shown on FIG. 11 d. The articles 70 on the waiting positionsin the last extreme right row are keeping from back wall by standard 22fixation mechanisms; and from front wall just by the non standard 23fixation—inclination mechanisms, that will be explain below in thechapter “operation of a preferred embodiment’.

The can or bottle 70 on this final stage of vending passes 3 positions70 a, 70 b, 70 c of moving from last row of the back layer of tunneltill open dispense window. It is also will be explain bellow.

In preferred embodiment of present invention (Version 4) the mainconceptions and principals of store and transportation of the new shapein form of cube articles in the refrigerator shown above in the chapterSummary of invention. The conditions of “wet air” determine about tenaccessories for transportation and are illustrating by FIGS. 11 d, 12and 13.

The plastic laying 69 is installing between the lid of chamber and first(from top) filled cans or bottles level; the laying has double function:to make more tight hermetic refrigerating part of equipment and to helpto moving of can or bottle. The plastic laying has openings 72.

The openings in the body of laying have narrow flexible sealant 69 aaround 3 edges of each opening (probably the one sealant from left sideof opening will be enough), excluding extreme right opening 72b; 2corner of sealant had cut of 45′ degree; these sealants has a fewfunction: safe hermetical conditions in the tunnel all time when therefrigerator is working; divide adjacent bottles after one of thementered in the tunnel; sealant compressing (with similar way as springin version 1) partly shoves the bottle to the dispense window ; andfinally serves like rails by the sliding the next bottle to the openwindow.

In the preferred embodiment of equipment the scheme of specific exit thecubes from top row into the tunnel is shown on FIG. 13. The cans orbottles 70 are pushed by bottom spring 20 gradually (by the severalstages 74) enter to the tunnel and raising the sealant 69 a. When thecans or bottles reach the stage 3 (e.g. completely lifted in the tunnel)the sealant 69 a from left side of opening compressing slightly pushescubes to the right side of tunnel (from this side of cube the sealant isabsent) taking it out from the quiescent mode and farther air force 71based on others principal accessories shoves the cans, which moving easyand fast by sliding in the direction 75 to the vending window. The mainof these principals are:

-   -   condition of “wet air” (ice and/or water) in the refrigerator;    -   air force from compressor;    -   depression in the tunnel (the different pressure before and        behind the article);    -   sliding surface of cans or bottles in the refrigerating        condition;    -   sliding modern plastic materials which the surface of tunnel are        faced;    -   sliding plastic laying with sealants under the lid of chamber;    -   short distance to the dispense window(a few inches), etc.    -   rapidly moving of cans, like shot by pneumatic mail.

In preferred embodiment of universal vending machine has to haveapproximately equal quantity of cooling and not-cooling articles. Therefrigerator occupants about ⅔ all space of equipment. Other ⅓ ofequipment's space has to be filled up the not cooling items and selftransportation mechanism. Particularly, right additional sector 8 ofunit 5 should contain 40 snacks and/or miscellaneous items of 8 kindswhich may locate on the 8 shelves by 2 rows. This size of rightadditional sector is too much and cannot be placed behind frontpassenger seat.

So the width of this sector has to be shorted. It is reaching by newprincipal of locating the motors for spirals. In different from othersvending machines present invention has no one motor for each shelf butjust one motor which revolve all 8 spirals (see FIGS. 7 a and 7 b) byspecific method. The shelves with spirals dispose no in pairs on onelevel but in a shape of stair. Whole wide of sector 8 in this case equalabout 5.5 inches that good fitted to marked goal.

The one motor 38 revolves simultaneously all friction disks each of thatconnected with separate spiral. Therefore the 4 disks 46 r and fourspirals 26 r are rotating in a clockwise and other 4 disks 46 l and fourspirals 26 l are rotating in a counterclockwise. Each disk comprises onesmall solenoid 47. The tip of solenoid carried out as small hexahedraand by the moving out easy finds the opposite also hexahedra hole in thespiral's accessory. This system of transportation helps to bring chosenitems to the client.

In the preferred embodiment the automatic equipment comprises theoperating panel 6 illustrated on FIG. 8, having corresponded labels forall vending products in this specific taxi cab (for version 1, 2, 3, 4and 5). The drink's selection buttons 48, snacks and miscellaneousitem's selection buttons 49, money slots 12 and 13, card reader slot 14together with drinks vending window 10 and small items vending tray 11are present on the panel 6. The both tray 11 (in the attached sector 8of the equipment (FIG. 2) and in the panel 6 are located too close eachto other because of packets, which appear in the tray can be easy pickedup by clients.

Other form of selection button can be adapted for same purposes, such astouch-screen, electronic or optical sensors, etc. In preferredembodiment on the partition 4 a the card readers' slot 51 shown on FIG.8 may be also used because of this card reader slot already wasinstalled into the taxi cab together with GPS (Global Position System).

In the preferred embodiment, because of specific conditions of some newhybrid or modern taxi cab (domestic or foreign) take place, when thespace behind front seat of passenger doesn't allow installing even thatextra flat vending machine, one more area where the taxi cab vendingmachine could be installed is in the trunk. In this case the samementioned above unit placed in the trunk near reserve tire in anhorizontal position on shelf, no prevents to the luggage be placed onthe bottom of trunk (version 5).

The FIG. 14 illustrates the schematic perspective of back view of a taxicab's trunk according to an exemplary (Version 5) embodiment of thepresent invention: multifunctional adaptable composite automaticequipment. From back view of the trunk 76 with open lid 78 s of thetrunk the distant part of the trunk is visible. This part 78 is dividedby the shelf 62 s on upper section 78 a and lower section 78 b. The mainbody of the invented equipment 79 is placing on the right side of uppersection 78 a close to the reserve tire 80 of taxi cab that lies in leftside of upper section 78 a. Nearest part of the trunk 81 leaves free forluggage.

Notwithstanding that presented invention by the version 5 will be placedin absolutely different area that by version 1, 2, 3 and 4 theconceptual basic of design (multifunctional, adaptable, changeable,extra-flat, all-seasonable, combined, composite and automatic) aresaving the very similar. The composition of main body, its thickness,design of refrigerator (store and articles transportation), thearrangement of most detail of equipment, etc. are not changing.

The main no big different this version 5 is that it braked up on 3elements:

-   -   (1) the main body arrange in the trunk in horizontal position        (in different from other version), where unit locates in        vertical position);    -   (2) the lifting mechanism for articles 79 a, shown on FIG. 14 a,        arrange like vertical duct with uplifting direction (in        different of others versions, where the chosen small items fall        dawn in the duct), which connect the unit body from cab's trunk        with dispense window, which locates in the back salon of taxi        cab close to the radio dynamic and in the same time to the        client (not shown);    -   (3) the operating panel 6 placed on the same area like for other        versions, but the label on the panel points on the vending        window to the back of salon.

Examples of operation of embodiments of the taxi passenger serviceequipment for the four-row unit are follows:

EXAMPLE 1 Version 1

An operator opens the lid 6 a and loads the refrigerating chamber ofcomposite unit 5 with cans of 4 kinds of soft drink (each kind in onerow). Then operator easy lifts up the sector 8 with miscellaneous items(wet napkins, gum, candies, etc.) from hinges and changes this wholecomponent on new one for a couple minutes. After that operator closeslid, hangs up the component with small items and maintains therefrigerating devices to predetermined range of temperature. The taxidrives on the streets.

First passenger decides to drink Pepsi that filled up the row 2 fromleft. He puts a bill in slot 11 for example one dollar and presses oneof the buttons 39 on the panel 4 p with Pepsi label. The button 39transfer a corresponding signal to vending control system, whichactuates the bottom spring 19 in the row 2 and the same time turn on thesolenoid with fixation mechanism (21) in the same row.

So far as the cans with Pepsi are arranged in row 2 the fixationmechanism 21 draws back and bottom spring 19 gradually pushes up the allrow of the cans. Top can with the same speed begin to rise from top cellinto the tunnel 24, raising a step by step the springs 27 c. Under thetop can, which moving in tunnel, next can occupies the cell. When thetop can exits in full to the tunnel the next in the row can is fixed bythe fixation mechanism. The raised in full springs 27 c begins to returnin initial position and by the way is pushing the can to right side ofthe tunnel with helping by mini size bearings located on the ends ofsprings. Thanks the mini size bearing, that rotating in thecounter-clockwise, the can is revolving in clockwise that force thecan's moving and sliding to the extreme right side row.

As a result the can is moving by rolling and sliding along tunnel to thefirst right row and then after rich it fall dawn on the empty one cell.This top can in this particular row have slightly inclination 33 to theside of vending window 9 (FIG. 3 c). Felled dawn can sliding aboveinclination cylindrical surface of can to the opened at this time lid 32of vending window (9) and through that get to the client.

In the preferred embodiment the passenger choice is the Cola which fillsextreme right row of the refrigerating chamber. The scheme of moving thecan with Cola is essential other (not shown on drawing). After passengerpushed one of the buttons 39 (with Cola label) the last one transfer acorresponding signal to vending control system, which actuates thefixation mechanism 22 in the top of row (draws back) and the spring inthe row bottom 19 turned on. (Remembering: in this row the first cellunder the tunnel is empty; the springs with shape as plate are absent;the door of the vending window is placed in a front of this cell, not ina front of tunnel). Top can begins moving to the tunnel and fluent exitfrom the cell, where it was fixed, to the first row in the horizontalposition. The next can occupy freed cell. The fixation mechanism 22again turned on and fixes that next can in the inclination position bythe specific form of its head. Due to this inclination the exited canbegin to sliding by the inclination surface of next can to the opened atthis moment door of the vending window straight in customer hands.

EXAMPLE 2 Version 2

The close procedure is happened when a passenger's choice ismiscellaneous item. In this case he pushes one of the ten buttons 40(FIG. 5) with corresponding label (for example, wet napkin). The buttontransfers this signal to vending control system, which turns on themotor 38 (FIG. 7 a). The motor starts rotating and to revolve the wirespirals 26 r, or 26 l filled up just with wet napkins. After couplecircles the one packet with wet napkin falls down by the duct andpassenger take out this article from the tray 11. All actions arecarries out through the vending control system and controllers.

When the client is receiving what he wanted the vending control systemthrough corresponding controller returns all mechanism in initialposition. The compose equipment again ready to service the nextpassenger.

EXAMPLE 3 Version 3

The similar procedure is happening in the equipment with thermalelectrical system (TES) how it shown on FIG. 10. In this case the clientpushes on the button 48 (FIG. 8) with Pepper soda. After signal will bereceived from the control system that an extreme left can is required tovend, the solenoid 66 is actuated to pull out the pin, so the cross linkmechanism 68 pushes the cans against the plate spring, the can will getout when its horizontal diameter is over the highest point of the leftplate spring and the left plate spring turns to restore, at this moment,the top can will roll over to the left with the pressure from the lowercans and both the right and left plate spring, as soon as the trigger isactuated by the right plate spring, the bottom cross link mechanism willrestore downward, and the right plate spring also restore with thespring force, which continually pushes the can moving to left until itrestore completely. After the left plate spring restores completely theproduct is opened for release, and the vending door (62) will close intime delaying manner.

EXAMPLE 4 Version 4

The passenger's choice of 8 kinds of drinks is the Cola which fills the2 row of back layer of the refrigerating chamber. The Cola fills thecubes. The scheme of moving the cubes is the similar but moresophisticated than the previously example by the method.

After passenger pushed one of the buttons 48 (with Cola label) the lastone transfer a corresponding signal to vending control system, whichactuates the fixator 22 in the top of row and the spring 20 in thebottom of row turn on. Top cube begins moving to the tunnel and fluentexit from the cell where it was fixed. By the way it raises the 3 narrowsealants 69 a, covering partly (from 3 sides) the opening in the plasticlayer (FIGS. 7 and 8). When the cube in a full entered in the tunnel 25the left plastic sealant 69 a been compressing begins to shove cube inthe direction to extreme right row because of from this right side thecubes has only one freedom degree and by this moment ready to move bythe tunnel.

Vending control system also transfers the signal from button 48 ofoperating panel 6 (FIG. 10) to air compressor. It switches on force ofair flow. The pressure of air is increasing behind the cube with Colaand air flow directs to the right inside back layer of tunnel and movesthe cube to the end of tunnel to the position 70 a (FIG. 11 d). Thesliding of cube by the tunnel is providing by increased air force andmentioned above several principals (condition of “wet air”, differentialpressure, sliding surfaces of bottles, sliding materials, short distanceto the dispense window, etc.) that accompany this process and make themoving easier and faster.

When cube reached 70 a position the solenoid 47 blunt pushes the cube tothe position 70 b in the front layer of cubes and last one right awayfelled dawn on the placed bellow cube 70 to the position 70 c in a frontof opened vending window. Specific fixation mechanism 23 (FIG. 11 d)from the front wall of the refrigerator 7 c inclines cube (70). When thecube from tunnel 25 a falls dawn in the position 70 c above alreadyinclined cube 70 the upper cube sliding straight through open windowinto the customer hands.

The following points further define embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention:

1. Taxi cab passenger service automatic equipment for improving serviceof passengers by creating, installing and maintaining in the salon ofcab additional equipment for more comfortable trip by acquisition up to5 kinds refreshing drinks and also up to 10-12 types miscellaneous itemsin the ride; automatic equipment been encapsulated in compose unit bodyincludes the complex of known devices, particularly refrigerator (inbasic version with compressor, condenser, evaporator and controldevice), vending machine and accompanying adaptations, which areaccommodating in the limited space of taxi cab, without violating ofconditions for passenger boarding and normal work of taxi driver and thecar.

2. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1, with mentioned devices arecompose set as multi components unit body, which is accommodatingbetween back of front passenger chair (right from a driver) andobligatory for taxi cab partition, dividing front driver part of salonand back passenger part of salon.

3. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 execute two basic andequivalent functions: a) to contain and save optimum quantity of coolingsoft drinks and miscellaneous items for one or two work shifts b) tovend these articles for passengers of taxi cab with most convenience andrate; both of these functions correlation each to other and have to beprovisioned precise and in time carried out work of all components anddevices, included in compose equipment.

4. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 has flat up to five-rowsshape (with 8-ounces cans) for arrangement more quantity of the cans andmore kinds of the drinks, that allow to place it in mentioned abovelimited space of salon taxi between back of front passenger chair andtaxi partition which equipment is strengthening to by the few bolts;inside thickness of a flat equipment accords the length of cans withdrinks, and the cans accommodate in the horizontally and perpendicularlyto partition of the salon; the high of equipment accords to high ofopaque part of partition and width of equipment usually accords to thewidth of passenger chair or may be a little bit longer.

5. The structure of automatic equipment as defined in point 1 as composeencapsulated unit comprises: one central component in a form of mainrefrigerating chamber with cans of soft drinks; two additionalcomponent, which accommodated from left and right sides of centralrefrigerating chamber; the left additional component contains evaporatorconnected to the refrigerating chamber by the ventilation openings;under the evaporator a fan is located; right additional component isseparated from main body by the warm insulation wall, belonging to therefrigerating chamber, and contains from top to bottom: shelves formiscellaneous items with mechanism of spiral revolving pushers usingjust one motor for all shelves; vertical duct and item dispense tray;under tray the device for receiving money (bills and change slots) islocated; lower the change dispense placed.

6. As defined in point 1 and point 5 right additional sector 8 of theequipment isn't have left wall and direct connection with chamber 7 doto its movement necessity; because of it this sector 8 is hanging on thehinges of central refrigerating chamber, easy taking out and availablefor fast change the items and pull out money from save in about coupleminutes.

7. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 comprises hermetic worminsulated lids, which from top open central refrigerating chamber thatallow from top fast and convenience to add or change the cans withdrinks; and from other side this lid good save the predeterminedtemperature inside the refrigerating chamber.

8. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1, in the basic variant, fromthe back side of compose unit comprises two more elements ofrefrigerator: the niche with compressor and the condenser attached tothe back wall of equipment.

9. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 will be more convenience inthe taxi cab if instead two important elements of the equipment'srefrigerator (compressor and condenser), the air-condition (AC) systemof the taxi cab will be used without any serious changing in salon ofthe taxi cab.

10. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points 4, 5,6, 7 and 15 comprises the “tunnel”, formed from top empty cells of eachrow, is free of the cans and is the part of the refrigerating chamber,where all surfaces have minimum friction and high sliding index;therefore the new spring system (in the shape of plates) and inclinationdevice are used in the invented equipment for moving cans to the vendingwindow.

11. In automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points 4,5, 6 and 7, with the goal for keeping extra flat and adaptableconfiguration with one more goal to increase the quantity and choice ofdrink kinds, the cans are arranged perpendicularly to the front and backwalls of the equipment and the moving on the cans to the vending windowhappening in the “tunnel” above top row of the cans, using principle ofrolling and sliding.

12. In automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points 4,5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 the spring system (in the shape of plate) for movingcans to the vending window is the part of whole metallic (or some othermaterial with springing property) laying between central component ofunit (bottom of “tunnel”) and lid of the refrigerating chamber; thislaying has 4 or 5 cans' size rectangular openings the couple of springsor single spring arranged above those openings (like windows) for eachrow of cans which lifting to the “tunnel” through these openings; thesprings main target are to create fluent moving of the cans from top rowto the tunnel and then to send them rolling and sliding to the directionof extreme right row;

13. In automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points 4,5, 6, 7, and 11 the spring system (in the shape of plate) has onecertain improvement: before tunnel the walls of top cells of each row(exclude extreme right) has a small slightly curve in the direction tothe vending window, helping to cans begin rolling to right of tunnelearlier than the end of cells and springs will work much better

14. In automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points 4,5, 6, 7, and 12 the spring system (in the shape of plate) has one morecertain improvement: additional to rounding of cells these springs forbetter rolling of cans include mini size bearings on the edges of thesprings that improving the can rolling and sliding; the mini sizebearings which help to force the rolling of the can and improve thereliability of spring system, because these bearings give the can thedirection to extreme right row by rolling them in clockwise; after anyspring pushed the can in a “trip”, it will come down and the mini sizebearings are hiding in mentioned above slot, not missing to next cans toroll and slide by the tunnel.

15. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points4,5,6,7 and 13, 14 contains a fixation device that fix cans on thewaiting position under the tunnel before client will choice particularlythis kind of drinks; if so the fixation device frees the can and thisone exits to the tunnel and through it to the vending window; all fivefixation devices has the principle of solenoid, but four of them havethe semi-circle head, just one of them the extreme right row hasspecific shape of the head—like a part of semi-circle head; this shapegive possibility to this device to prepare inclination position of thecan in this row below moving can. (In the 4-rows refrigerating chamberjust 3 affixation mechanism has semi-circle head but extreme right rowhas a partly semi-circle head)

16. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 with added by points4,5,6,7 and 13, 14, 15 and 16 provide delivery the refreshing drinks inthe cans by moving it with rolling and sliding along tunnel to the firstright row and then after rich it fall dawn on into the empty one cell;under this empty cell the slightly inclination can to the side ofvending window already prepared; felled dawn can above it sliding bythis inclination surface to the opened at this time lid of vendingwindow and through that the client catches it; the lid of the vendingwindow lays out in a front of top cell in right row, one cell below oftunnel and not in a level of the tunnel.

17. The right additional component of automatic equipment as defined inpoint 1 with added by points 4,5,6,7 and 13 comprises no less than 10kinds and a few tens of miscellaneous items that was achieved thanks thenew method for move the not cooling items to the passengers; this methodexcludes the implementation of many motors (in the most cases one ofthem for each shelf) and uses just one motor for all shelves andapplying new principal of rotating of wire spiral.

18. The possibility of automatic equipment as defined in point 1 withadded by points 4,5,6,7 and 13 to content much more items in rightadditional component of composes unit challenges necessity to make thissection wider than left component with different functions; leftadditional section will be thin with evaporator and fan and rightadditional section will be wider with more quantity and types of smallitems and payment compartment.

19. Automatic compose equipment as defined in point 1 with added bypoints 4,5,6,7 and 13 with right component filled up the manymiscellaneous items allow the operator much faster fill up or change thesmall items and take the money because this section not having contactwith refrigerator and will be just hang on the main body by the hinges;the operator very fast takes up the component from hinges and may soonfill up it with new items or even changes this component on new one.

20. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 comprises outside the mainbody of equipment on the back side of the partition on the special panelcarried out by the cord the indicator of all products into theequipment, coordinate with contents of refrigerator and cartridge clipwith small items; buttons-indicators located in a front of passengers.

21. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 uses minimum energy in 12v, which receive from front part of driver salon.

22. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 has not only extra flatthickness, it may present bright example for universal equipment in thearea of taxi cab industry. It has numerous possibilities for bechangeable and adaptable, for example: the both of additional components(left and right) may be replaced each to other; the configuration ofevaporator can be adapt to a several kind of space; the quantity of rowswith cans, the cans in a row or shelves with small items may bedifferent and changeable; the wide and height of whole equipment and theeach component also may varying, etc., because of the invented equipmentmay be named as “adaptable” or universal.

23. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1, 2 and 21 without anydesign changing in the car may be installed in some modern kind of taxi,standard or hybrid, including foreign cars, starting from CrownVictoria, Ford Escape, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, ToyotaHighlander, Toyota Prius, etc.; it will be have the close configurationin the according to condition and space of the salons, notwithstandingon the conception of refrigerator.

24. Automatic equipment as defined in point 1 and 2 will be have thesimilar configuration and sizes according condition and space of salon,notwithstanding from conception of refrigerator: connected to the aircondition system of taxi cab, with compressor and cooling agent,thermo-electric system, semi-conductor system, solar system, etc.

25. As defined in point 1 with added by points 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 19 and20 the spring system (in a form of plate) before tunnel the walls of topcells of each row (exclude extreme right) have a small slightly curve inthe direction to the vending window, helping to cans begin rollingclockwise to right of tunnel earlier than the end of cells and springswill work much better ;

26. As defined in point 1 with added by points 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 19, 20and 21 universal equipment contains a fixation device that fix cans onthe “waiting position” under the tunnel before client will choiceparticularly this kind of drinks and for keeping the “tunnel” empty asfree way for others cans from others rows; if so the fixation devicefrees the can and this one exit to the tunnel and through it to thevending window; all four fixation devices has the principal of solenoid,but 3 of them have the semi-circle head, just one of them in the extremeright row has specific shape of the head—like a part of semi-circlehead; this shape give possibility to this device to prepare inclinationposition of the can in this row below moving can;

27. As defined in point 1 with added by points 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 19, 20,21 and 22 the universal equipment is characterizing that the extremeright row of the refrigerating chamber not stored in full, one cell ofthis row located immediately under tunnel is empty; this empty cell isan auxiliary space for transportation the cans to the vending window.

28. As defined in point 1 with added by points 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 19, 20,21,22 and 23 the universal equipment provide delivery the refreshingdrinks in the cans by moving it with rolling and sliding along tunnel tothe first right row ; then the cans after rich it fall dawn on into theempty one cell; under this empty cell the slightly inclined can to theside of vending window already prepared; felled dawn can above itsliding by this inclined surface to the opened at this time lid ofvending window and through that the client catches it; the lid of thevending window lays out in a front of top cell in right row, one cellbelow of tunnel and not in a level of the tunnel.

29. Universal equipment of version 4 as defined in point 1 with added bypoints 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25and 26 practically has the same dimensions as basic equipment of version1; this modification of equipment is locating also between the frontpassenger seat and partition of taxi cab; evaporator, ventilationopenings, bottom springs, tunnel of refrigerator, compressor or fan,right additional sector with miscellaneous items and money departmentand connection with air-condition system of taxi leave the same like inequipment of version 2.

30. Evaporator of universal equipment of version 4 as defined in point 1with added by points 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 in the different from version 1 is coveredfrom left side by the one sided lid; the reason for this element ofdesign was installed is that compressor has more power than fan; the airflow after compressor is essentially increasing that may lead to theover cooling up to freezing the drinks inside refrigerator, what may beinconvenience to the most of passengers; the one sided lid of evaporatorprevents from this condition in the refrigerator and directs the forceair flow exactly into the tunnel

31. Universal equipment of version 4 as defined in point 1 with added bypoints 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24,25, 26, 27 and 28 except one sided lid comprises thin plastic inset(divider) of tunnel, which divides the tunnel of chamber on 2 parts:front and back; the inset in the space limited by left additional sectorhas a tip, which returning on the axis periodically prevent front orback layer of the refrigerator (depend of the passenger's choice) fromthe air force that after compressor by this tip is directing to the oneof these layers, creating inside of a half of tunnel slightly increasedpressure for moving the cubes to the dispense of window based on thecondition of “wet air” and on the depression (differential pressure)between back of moving cube in the tunnel (higher than atmospherepressure) and area around the lid of dispense window (with atmospherepressure);

32. Universal equipment of version 4 as defined in point 1 with added bypoints 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24,25, 26, 27 and 28 comprises plastic laying for ensuring thetransportation of articles by tunnel to the dispense window; thisplastic laying is installing between the lid of chamber and first (fromtop) filled cans or bottles level; the laying has double function: tomake more hermetic refrigerating part of equipment and to help to movingof can or bottle; the plastic laying has a few openings according to therows of articles; the openings in turn of have the narrow flexiblesealants around 3 edges of each opening (probably the one sealant fromleft side of opening will be enough), excluding extreme right opening; 2corner of sealant had cut of 45′ degree; these sealants have a fewfunctions: to safe hermetical conditions in the tunnel all time when therefrigerator is working; divide adjacent bottles after one of thementered in the tunnel; sealant compressing (with similar way as springin version 1) partly shoves the bottle to the dispense window ; andfinally serves like rails for next bottle (cube) sliding to the openwindow.

33. Universal equipment of version 1, 2, 4 and 5 as defined in point 1with added by points 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 comprises the operating panelhaving corresponded labels as indicator for all vending products in thisspecific taxi cab; the drink's selection buttons, snacks andmiscellaneous item's selection buttons, money slots, card reader slottogether with drinks vending window and small items vending tray arepresent on the operating panel; the both tray 10 (in the attached rightsector of the equipment and in the panel) are located too close each toother because of packets, which appear in the tray can be easy picked upby clients; other form of selection buttons can be adapted for samepurposes, such as touch-screen, electronic or optical sensors, etc.; thecard readers' slot already existing on the partition may be also usedbecause of this card reader slot was installed into the taxi cabtogether with GPS (Global Position System).

34. Universal equipment of version 5 as defined in point 1 with added byall above mentioned points depend on specific conditions of some newhybrid or modern taxi cab (domestic or foreign) take place, when thespace behind front seat of passenger doesn't allow installing even thatextra flat vending machine, one more area where the taxi cab vendingmachine could be installed is in the trunk; in this case the same as inversion 1 unit placed in the trunk near reserve tire in a horizontalposition on shelf, no prevents to the luggage be placed on the bottom oftrunk (version 5); the distant part of trunk is divided by the shelf onupper and lower sections; the main body of the invented equipment isplacing on the right side of upper section close to the reserve tire oftaxi cab that lies in left side of upper section ; nearest part of thetrunk leaves free for luggage.

35. Universal equipment of version 5 as defined in point 1 with added bypoint 33 notwithstanding that presented invention by the version 5 willbe placed in absolutely different area that by version 1 and 2, theconceptual basic of design (multifunctional, adaptable, changeable,extra-flat, all-seasonable, combined, composite and automatic) aresaving the very similar; the composition of main body, its thickness,design of refrigerator (store and articles transportation), thearrangement of most detail of equipment, etc. are not changing; the mainno big different this version 3 from other versions is that it braked upon 3 elements:

-   -   (1) the main body arrange in the trunk in horizontal position        (in different from version 1 and 2, where unit locates in        vertical position);    -   (2) the lifting mechanism for articles, arrange like vertical        duct with uplifting direction (in different of version 1 and 2,        where the chosen small items fall dawn in the duct), which        connect the unit body from cab's trunk with disperse window,        which locates in the back salon of taxi cab close to the radio        dynamic and in the same time to the client (not shown);    -   (3) the operating panel is placed in the same area as on the        other versions, but the label on the panel points to the vending        window at the back of the salon.

Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed outfundamental novel features of the invention as applied to severalembodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devicesillustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Substitutions of elements from one embodiment to another are also fullyintended and contemplated. It is also to be understood that the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are merely conceptualin nature. In addition to the preceding description, the invention canbe further described by the following points and equivalents of therecitations therein.

I claim:
 1. A refrigerated vending system for installation in a taxi cabhaving a driver area, a front passenger chair, a divider, and a rearpassenger salon, the front passenger chair having a surface facing therear passenger salon, comprising: a housing having an interiorcompartment configured to include at least a plurality of items thereinand an exterior structurally adapted to seat against the surface of thefront passenger chair that faces the rear passenger salon and proximalto the divider; a refrigerator operative to cool the interiorcompartment of the housing; and a vending control system operative torespond to an actuation by dispensing one of the plurality of items fromthe interior compartment for access within the rear passenger salon,wherein the housing is accommodated while optimally preserving thedriver area and the rear passenger salon.
 2. A system as in claim 1,wherein the refrigerator comprises a compressor, a condenser, anevaporator and a control device operatively coupled to one another tocreate a temperature differential between the interior compartment ofthe housing and the taxi cab.
 3. A system as in claim 2, wherein theevaporator is disposed on one side of the interior compartment and incommunication therewith via ventilation openings.
 4. A system as inclaim 3, further comprising a fan disposed under the evaporator.
 5. Asystem as in claim 1, wherein the items in the interior of the housingare drinks.
 6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the interior of thehousing is further configured to include a plurality of miscellaneousitems.
 7. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a tunnel defined inthe interior compartment which extends to an exit for vending one ormore of the plurality of items.
 8. A system as in claim 7, wherein thetunnel has a high sliding index.
 9. A system as in claim 7, wherein inthe items are cans of drinks, the system further comprising a fixationdevice that is operative to fix the cans in a waiting position under thetunnel prior to vending the cans.
 10. A system as in claim 9, whereinthe fixation device is releasable so as to free one of the cans andpermits the freed can to exit the tunnel.